As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for training camp, there are plenty of storylines to keep tabs on.
But some of the lesser-talked-about storylines could be lying near the end of the roster. And, as a matter of fact, that's where a lot of the drama takes place. For one recent signing, the drama could end up resulting in being cut.
The Vikings signed tight end Giovanni Ricci after minicamp. He was brought in near the end of June to offer added competition at the position, but the room is already fairly crowded, and, for that reason, he could have a long road ahead in making the roster.
Giovanni Ricci will have a hard time making the Minnesota Vikings' final roster
The Vikings' current tight end room includes starter TJ Hockenson, veteran Josh Oliver, and rookie sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew out of Pittsburgh.
It feels very likely that those three will make the roster, but beyond those, could the Vikings keep a fourth? Among those options are Ricci, along with two undrafted free agents: Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit.
Had Ricci been signed earlier in the offseason, maybe he would have had more of a leg up. But, that wouldn't have been possible as he was with the Patriots up until he was released near the draft.
Ricci did not play at all last year, and the last time he was active was in 2023 when he appeared in just five games for the Carolina Panthers. He caught his only target for two yards. Ricci offers some special teams upside as he played 64 percent of his possible snaps in 2023, but as an offensive player, he's been pretty limited his whole career.
Of the end-of-roster tight ends, the undrafted Nesbit might have the most appeal to keep around. His catch radius is monstrous and presents himself more as a bigger receiver than he does a true tight end.
We'll see if Ricci can give Nesbit, and others, a run for their money later this summer.